Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that involves obstruction of the airway while you are sleeping. For most people, the biggest sign of sleep apnea is the presence of snoring. Other symptoms include exhaustion during the day, never feeling rested, and an overall feeling of poor health. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your dentist may recommend trying an oral appliance designed for those who are suffering with the condition. This appliance is worn while you are sleeping, and helps keep your airway open during the night. While there are other treatment options available, such as a CPAP machine, an oral appliance is often preferred because it is the least cumbersome of the treatments for sleep apnea.

To Get an Oral Appliance

When your doctor determines that you have sleep apnea that will be improved by an oral appliance, you will get a prescription for the device. You will then be referred to a dentist in your area who can supply you with the custom device. While you may have to pay for some of the device, this will all depend on the type of health insurance coverage that you have. Your dentist will carefully take physical and digital impressions of your teeth. These will then be used by a lab to create a custom oral appliance for your mouth to help with sleep apnea.

Choosing an Oral Appliance to Treat Your Sleep Apnea

There are a number of benefits to choosing an oral appliance to treat your sleep apnea. They are easy to use, comfortable, and portable. While a CPAP machine is larger and makes noise throughout the night, a mouth piece doesn't make any noise. You won't have to worry about disturbing a sleep partner if you are wearing the mouth piece. If you travel frequently, this is the easiest form of treatment to use for sleep apnea because it is easy to pack and take care of.

Improved Health from Sleep Apnea Treatment

Once you begin your treatment for sleep apnea, you may see a dramatic improvement in your overall health. You may feel more alert, have less pain, and experience overall better health. When you can get a good night's sleep, your body will benefit. An oral appliance for sleep apnea will help you live a better quality of life and overcome the symptoms of exhaustion that can plague you when you are struggling with sleep apnea.

For more information, contact a specialist like Jacob L. Revercomb DMD.